#WiOWednesday
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Happy #WiOWednesday!

This week's feature is @ulrikeboehm.bsky.social, an optical scientist with a passion for mentorship. #WomenInSTEM

"I believe it is also crucial to devote time to mentoring, teaching, and engaging in science outreach activities."💡

Read her story here: spie.org/community-s...
January 22, 2025 at 7:30 PM
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This #WiOWednesday, we're celebrating Simone Carpenter, Optical Engineering Manager at Meta.

Simone not only helps identify the gaps in Meta's optical-engineering expertise but also works to help team members grow and develop! #WomenInSTEM

Read her full story here: www.spie.org/communi...
February 5, 2025 at 9:20 PM
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“I found comfort in science, where creativity is grounded in logic and discovery.” ⚗️

This #WiOWednesday, we’re spotlighting Odile Liboiron‑Ladouceur, professor & researcher of electrical and computer engineering at McGill University.

Read her full profile here: https://bit.ly/3NxNTw5 #WomenInSTEM
Colorful graphic with quote from Odile Liboiron-Ladouceur, with a photograph of Liboiron-Ladouceur below.
April 8, 2026 at 6:10 PM
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Happy #WiOWednesday!

Meet Imran Avci, an associate professor at @vuamsterdam.bsky.social, who developed a simple way to make microchips with a colleague and founded Rapid Photonics.

Read about her story in the 2025 #WomenInOptics notebook: spie.org/community-s...

#WomenInSTEM #SPIE 💡
January 8, 2025 at 10:45 PM
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Continuing to celebrate #WiOWednesday!

Congrats to the 2025 #WomenInOptics Scholarship recipients: Katherine Koch (‪@wakeforest.bsky.social‬), Morgan Logsdon Choi (@uarizona.bsky.social‬), & Victoria Usachev (@urochester.bsky.social‬)!

Meet all scholarship recipients: spie.org/news/spie-a...
A graphic showing the three Women in Optics Scholarship recipients. From right to left: Katherine Koch, of Wake Forest University - Morgan Logsdon Choi, of the University of Arizona - Victoria Usachev, University of Rochester.
June 12, 2025 at 12:00 AM
spie.org
It's #WiOWednesday!

From helping classmates understand lessons to partnering with #photonics companies to represent their products, Melissa Kallos is a science communicator through and through. 💡 #WomenInSTEM

Read more in the 2025 SPIE #WomenInOptics notebook: spie.org/community-s...
March 19, 2025 at 10:30 PM
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This #WiOWednesday, we’re celebrating Jana Jágerská, a photonics researcher & prof at UiT whose passion, integrity, and resilience drive her work.

Her journey shows how strong mentorship can shape a STEM career. 🔭

Learn more about Jágerská: https://bit.ly/46p8bOt #WomenInSTEM #WomenInOptics
Colorful graphic, with a quote from Jana Jágerská at the top and a photograph of Jágerská in a laboratory setting below.
February 25, 2026 at 9:39 PM
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It’s #WiOWednesday! 📔 Today, we’re highlighting Verónica González-Fernández, Assistant Professor at @ucm.es.

"I currently work on applications related to diffractive optics, to measure light polarization and to manipulate it."

Read her SPIE #WomenInOptics profile here: spie.org/community-s...
March 5, 2025 at 4:20 PM
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Happy #WiOWednesday!

Meet Giulia Guarda, a PhD student and Quantum Photonics Consultant. She works on quantum optics and secure communication.

Read her profile in the 2025 SPIE #WomenInOptics notebook!
spie.org/community-s...
July 16, 2025 at 11:18 PM
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Happy #WiOWednesday!

Meet Jenny Atwood, Optical Sciences Team Lead at the National Research Council Canada. Her novel optical configuration design was implemented on the Thirty Meter Telescope!

Read her story in the 2024 SPIE #WomenInOptics notebook: spie.org/community-s...

#WomenInSTEM 💡
January 16, 2025 at 12:43 AM
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Get ready for another #WiOWednesday feature! #WomenInSTEM

Meet Mariana Fraga, Assistant Professor and Lead of Sensors and Photovoltaic Devices Research Group at Mackenzie Presbyterian University.

Read her story in the 2025 SPIE Women in Optics notebook: spie.org/community-s...
February 19, 2025 at 2:09 PM
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This #WiOWednesday, meet Verena Leopold, PhD student + doctoral researcher @fau.de 👋

Her research focuses on photon correlations from distant stars, combining mechanics, #astronomy, programming, & hardware dev! 🔭💡

Read her story in the #WomenInOptics notebook: https://bit.ly/4sQXFID

#WomenInSTEM
Colorful graphic with quote from Verena Leopold, with a photograph of Leopold below in a laboratory setting.
March 25, 2026 at 5:51 PM
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This #WiOWednesday, meet Wardah Mahmood, a PhD student in quantum #optics at LUMS. She researches ultra-small magneto-optic effects and is passionate about outreach, especially for underprivileged communities. #WomenInSTEM

Read more in the #SPIE Women In Optics notebook: spie.org/community-s...
Wardah Mahmood, standing with lab equipment in the background, included is the quote, "I aspire to inspire others to break barriers in their communities."
April 2, 2025 at 8:15 PM
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This #WiOWednesday, we’re featuring Yuko Kakazu, astronomer and manager at the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan. 🔭

She helps connect communities with science and leads major international research efforts through workforce development and outreach.

Read more here!
https://bit.ly/4l4QARZ
Colorful graphic with a quote from Yuko Kakazu at the top, alongside a photograph of Kakazu teaching in a classroom at the bottom.
March 4, 2026 at 7:51 PM
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The 2026 SPIE #WomenInOptics notebook is out now! 🎉

Explore 26 inspiring profiles of scientists, engineers, and innovators advancing STEM across the globe. Read the profiles and request your free copy on our website: https://bit.ly/3K2XJni

#Optics #Photonics #WiOWednesday
Promotional graphic for the 2026 SPIE Women in Optics notebook showcasing open notebook pages with text and images, accompanied by the invitation to share it with friends, students, and colleagues of all ages. Background features a vibrant blue design with geometric patterns.
September 3, 2025 at 9:16 PM
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We are bringing #WiOWednesday to Bluesky! Each week, we feature one of the inspiring women from the SPIE #WomenInOptics notebook.

Meet Bárbara Buades! She is CEO & co-founder of MEETOPTICS, a company helping engineers find the optical components they need. Read her profile: spie.org/community-s...
"Dream big but also be practical in testing out your ideas as you move forward."
January 1, 2025 at 4:00 PM
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When #WiOWednesday lands on National Science Appreciation Day! 🤩

Meet @urochester.bsky.social professor Jennifer Kruschwitz! She switched from pre-med to optics as a student and never looked back. 💯 #WomenInSTEM

Read her profile in the #SPIE #WomenInOptics notebook: spie.org/community-s...
Promotional purple and green image for SPIE Women in Optics featuring the quote "Never lose the excitement of learning something new," by Jennifer Kruschwitz. The image includes a portrait of Jennifer standing beside a colorful background with abstract designs.
March 26, 2025 at 7:26 PM
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#WiOWednesday spotlight: Lia Li, CEO/CTO of Zero Point Motion!

Citing Arthur Ashkin as her scientific inspiration, Lia aims to develop tech with a lasting impact. She is currently working in semiconductors, focusing on sensing tech for navigation and motion. 💡

https://bit.ly/3NTveuA #WomenInSTEM
Colorful graphic with quote from Lia Li with a photograph of Li alongside it.
April 1, 2026 at 6:54 PM
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Happy #WiOWednesday, everyone! 💡

This week, we're celebrating Shalaka Dewan, an Engineering Manager at MKS Instruments (Spectra-Physics).

Her advice to the next generation of #WomenInSTEM is to focus on developing skills rather than outcomes. Read her story here: www.spie.org/communi...
February 12, 2025 at 4:00 PM
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“Don’t be afraid and take risks; you will always be rewarded.”

From joining science talks to founding a photonics startup, Juniyali Nauriyal is well-deserved of this week’s #WiOWednesday recognition! Read her story in the 2025 #SPIE Women in Optics notebook: spie.org/community-s...
A green and purple background featuring blue and purple spots. There is a picture embedded in the image of Juniyali Nauriyal with some lab equipment. It also features a quote that reads "Don't be afraid and take risks; you will always be rewarded."
April 16, 2025 at 8:00 PM
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This #WiOWednesday, we're highlighting Theresa Kunz!

As a principal optical design engineer at Jabil, she leads teams developing advanced AR and automotive HUD optical systems. Read more about how she drives collaboration and innovation in optics + #photonics: https://bit.ly/3P2fRAo

#WomenInSTEM
Colorful graphic with a quote from Theresa Kunz, with a quote from Kunz and a photograph of her in a laboratory setting.
March 18, 2026 at 1:45 PM
spie.org
Happy #WiOWednesday💡

#Bioengineering a/prof at @ucsandiego.bsky.social, Lingyan Shi, develops imaging tools to explore how molecules behave in living cells. She’s also passionate about mentoring students!

Read her profile: spie.org/community-s... @stimulatedraman.bsky.social #SPIE #WomenInOptics
A person wearing safety glasses works at a computer in a lab setting, surrounded by vibrant purple and green lighting. The image includes a quote about making a difference in the world through curiosity, collaboration, and compassion by Lingyan Shi, featured in an initiative by SPIE, Women in Optics.
May 7, 2025 at 5:30 PM
spie.org
Happy #WiOWednesday!

Ruixuan Wang, process integration engineer at Intel, was inspired by a classmate who broke gender norms in physics. Now, she drives innovation in #photonics and mentors future #WomenInSTEM.

Read her profile in the 2025 #SPIE #WomenInOptics notebook: spie.org/community-s...
SPIE Women in Optics graphic featuring a quote 'Hold on to your passion strongly and consistently' by Ruixuan Wang, with the individual seated.
May 29, 2025 at 12:15 AM
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#WiOWednesday is here! Today, we spotlight Mary Spaeth, senior scientist in the National Ignition Facility at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. 💡🔬

Spaeth's career is an inspiration to anyone interested in STEM. Learn more in the #WomenInOptics Notebook: https://bit.ly/3PZY4e2 #WomenInSTEM
Promotional graphic with a blue‑purple background and SPIE logo. A photo shows Mary Spaeth in a lab wearing a hard hat and standing near optical equipment, framed by geometric shapes. Text reads “Women in Optics 2026.” A quote appears at the end: “My story is one of great luck! I’m 86 years old, and for the last 63 years I have worked in the world of lasers and optics.” — Mary Spaeth.
June 10, 2026 at 9:41 PM
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This is our last #WiOWednesday feature of 2026. 💡🥲

Today, meet Nassima Zeggaoui, Technical Manager at Siemens. She leads the creation of software solutions for new tech, bridging engineering, marketing, & sales.

"I’m proud of my advocacy for girls in #STEM."

🔗 https://bit.ly/4foB3vd #WomenInSTEM
Promotional graphic for SPIE Women in Optics 2026 featuring a portrait of a person framed by geometric star patterns. The design uses blue and purple gradients.
July 29, 2026 at 2:05 PM